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Begin New Search Political Geography Zambia Publishing Institution Africa Center for Strategic Studies

1. Africa and the Arab Spring: A New Era of Democratic Expectations

Publication Date:
11-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:
A question often asked since the launch of the Arab Spring in January 2011 is what effect will these popular protests have on democracy in the rest of Africa. Frequently overlooked in this discussion is that Sub-Saharan Africa has been experiencing its own democratic surge during this time with important advances in Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia, among other countries. This progress builds on nearly two decades of democratic institution building on the continent. Even so, the legacy of “big-man” politics continues to cast a long shadow over Africa's governance norms. Regime models on the continent, moreover, remain highly varied, ranging from hard core autocrats, to semi-authoritarians, democratizers, and a select number of democracies.
Topic:
Democratization and Regime Change
Political Geography:
Africa, Arabia, Nigeria, and Zambia

2. Playing Ostrich: Lessons Learned from South Africa's Response to Terrorism

Author:
Hussein Solomon
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:
South Africa has come to occupy a central node in global terror networks in recent years. Despite growing evidence of the risks posed, South Africa has been slow to adopt and implement a more robust counterterrorism policy. Creating the political will to address this threat will require independent oversight of national intelligence efforts and an objective assessment of the terrorism risk in order to make counterterrorism a national priority.
Topic:
Security, Terrorism, and Counterinsurgency
Political Geography:
Africa, South Africa, London, and Zambia